Whispering Canyon Change

[xdan0920]

You shouldn't have to.

"My $400 per night hotel will have a comfortable restaurant where I can sit for a quiet meal with my wife and children and not spend $40 for an entree" should be a safe assumption that doesn't require extensive research to validate.

Again, this isn't a problem with Whispering Canyon Cafe. It's a problem with the portfolio of F&B offerings at Wilderness Lodge.

But you can do that. You can sit at roaring forks. You can sit at Geyser Point. You can sit at Territory Lounge.

 

[Lensman]

In support of @CaptainAmerica, I'll say that I actually know people who would want a regular boring table service restaurant in the hotel. In particular, they'd especially want one if they didn't have a car to easily get to a regular restaurant. I've never been there but I think WCC is my kind of place, but I don't begrudge other opinions of the place.

I wonder if the problem is:
1. complaints
2. the place is always fully booked so it doesn't need as much character anymore. <- HINT: I'm worried about this one!
3. the place isn't fully booked because there was too much yelling for the sensitive.

BTW, I think there's no need to be one sided about this. There are 3 other restaurants in the place but two are QS and one is Fine Dining. So it's a point and I don't think there's a need to bully anyone about it, especially if they are merely trying to present a perspective in the hopes of people understanding the different sides to this argument.

Again, I hope this is just about the loudness and the straws and that there continue to be fun antics at this restaurant.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

But you can do that. You can sit at roaring forks. You can sit at Geyser Point. You can sit at Territory Lounge.

You can sit at Taco Bell, too. That doesn't make it a "sit down" restaurant.

 

[Scuttle]

You shouldn't have to.

"My $400 per night hotel will have a comfortable restaurant where I can sit for a quiet meal with my wife and children and not spend $40 for an entree" should be a safe assumption that doesn't require extensive research to validate.

Again, this isn't a problem with Whispering Canyon Cafe. It's a problem with the portfolio of F&B offerings at Wilderness Lodge.

It’s hardly extensive research. I see your point but you can’t assume anything going to WDW. With the pre-planning that goes into a vacation now I’d hardly say researching a few restaraunts is extensive.

 

[Lensman]

Then read up on the internet and don’t go there if you want a normal TS spot. It’s not that difficult. About 15 other deluxe and moderates to stay at.

I hate to bring up DVC but your options get more limited if you're looking to plop down $30k on DVC direct.

Maybe someone earlier was correct and DVC is the bogeyman here?

Added after I read @CaptainAmerica's post about lack of research: I might only have a small bit of sympathy for people who didn't think to check whether their hotel only had a rowdy TS restaurant. I mean, it is true that there are other QS dining options if you're painfully shy.

But if you just plopped down $30k and are going to be there every year, I might expect Disney to build a new TS restaurant or do something in the interim. And even if you aren't painfully shy, I could imagine getting tired of the loud schtick if I was going to eat there a couple times a visit for the next 30 years.

It's a shame, I agree, though. But I'm still hoping there will still be antics, just at a slightly lower volume and not a big reduction in antics.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It’s hardly extensive research. I see your point but you can’t assume anything going to WDW. With the pre-planning that goes into a vacation now I’d hardly say researching a few restaraunts is extensive.

I know that and you know that. But we also have combined 10,000 posts on a Disney fan message board. We're not representative of the majority of WDW guests.

There's a new thread in this forum every day about someone taking their family to Disney for the first time. They're two weeks out and they're asking questions like "what rides are good?" or "we like to sleep until noon on vacation, is that okay?" or "what time is the bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Harry Potter World?" And for every person who registers on this site to ask basic questions, how many more are there out there who would never even think that a site like this exists, never mind that it's a borderline necessary resource to make the most of dining reservations, FastPass+, crowd management, itinerary planning, etc.?

 

[disneyflush]

I know that and you know that. But we also have combined 10,000 posts on a Disney fan message board. We're not representative of the majority of WDW guests.

There's a new thread in this forum every day about someone taking their family to Disney for the first time. They're two weeks out and they're asking questions like "what rides are good?" or "we like to sleep until noon on vacation, is that okay?" or "what time is the bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Harry Potter World?" And for every person who registers on this site to ask basic questions, how many more are there out there who would never even think that a site like this exists, never mind that it's a borderline necessary resource to make the most of dining reservations, FastPass+, crowd management, itinerary planning, etc.?

Its a good point. We do tend to get lost in the perspectives of each other on here when looking at the requirements for a good Disney vacation. Newbies swayed by commercials of solitary characters strolling through the parks unaccosted probably fall into a much higher percentage of guests than we might consider.

 

[Scuttle]

I know that and you know that. But we also have combined 10,000 posts on a Disney fan message board. We're not representative of the majority of WDW guests.

There's a new thread in this forum every day about someone taking their family to Disney for the first time. They're two weeks out and they're asking questions like "what rides are good?" or "we like to sleep until noon on vacation, is that okay?" or "what time is the bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Harry Potter World?" And for every person who registers on this site to ask basic questions, how many more are there out there who would never even think that a site like this exists, never mind that it's a borderline necessary resource to make the most of dining reservations, FastPass+, crowd management, itinerary planning, etc.?

I’m in the middle... I get your point, but I also expect people to at the very least research the restaraunts quickly before making an ADR.

If this was WDW circa 2009 I’m 100 percent on board with your side. But with the reservations needed so far out, and credit card guarantee now and the FP+ Planning I expect guests to plan for an extra 20 minutes about restaraunts in their hotel.

I agree that WL doesn’t have a quiet sit down place to eat a decent meal in peace, but is that Disney’s fault or the guests that chose to not plan? I just don’t know how the Onus is on Disney on this one. (99 percent of the time it is on them IMO)

 

[Lensman]

I know that and you know that. But we also have combined 10,000 posts on a Disney fan message board. We're not representative of the majority of WDW guests.

There's a new thread in this forum every day about someone taking their family to Disney for the first time. They're two weeks out and they're asking questions like "what rides are good?" or "we like to sleep until noon on vacation, is that okay?" or "what time is the bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Harry Potter World?" And for every person who registers on this site to ask basic questions, how many more are there out there who would never even think that a site like this exists, never mind that it's a borderline necessary resource to make the most of dining reservations, FastPass+, crowd management, itinerary planning, etc.?

Yeah, my wife and her family and friends are definitely not planners. My relatives are planners but I doubt they'd do the research to figure out that the only table service restaurant at their hotel was boisterous. OTOH, I don't think they'd complain they might just eat at the QS restaurant and then stay somewhere else next time. But who knows, they could surprise me and like the place.

I do think that WL is a bit isolated so it's more of a problem if you're turned off by that kind of place. And as someone said, it's a deluxe so people are paying big bucks to stay there.

Hopefully they'll make everyone happy by creating a new boring table service restaurant somewhere or converting one of the QS restaurants. I wonder if another problem is that the antics are *too* popular and so you have to make reservations too far in advance which means that guests can't spontaneously decide they want to eat there?

 

[Scuttle]

Its a good point. We do tend to get lost in the perspectives of each other on here when looking at the requirements for a good Disney vacation. Newbies swayed by commercials of solitary characters strolling through the parks unaccosted probably fall into a much higher percentage of guests than we might consider.

I agree the Disney commercials are an absurd ways from reality. Obnoxiously so in fact.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I’m in the middle... I get your point, but I also expect people to at the very least research the restaraunts quickly before making an ADR.

If this was WDW circa 2009 I’m 100 percent on board with your side. But with the reservations needed so far out, and credit card guarantee now and the FP+ Planning I expect guests to plan for an extra 20 minutes about restaraunts in their hotel.

I agree that WL doesn’t have a quiet sit down place to eat a decent meal in peace, but is that Disney’s fault or the guests that chose to not plan? I just don’t know how the Onus is on Disney on this one. (99 percent of the time it is on them IMO)

Loads of people don't make any ADRs at all, especially for the "home" restaurant in their resort. Reservations are needed at some places super far in advance, but not all of them. Disney also holds tables for resort guests.

 

[GlassHalfFull]

I agree the Disney commercials are an absurd ways from reality. Obnoxiously so in fact.

The ones that really get me are the shows that go on location like Black-ish that did, if I remember correctly rides in 3 different parks in a 6 hour "VIP" segment.. Then when I explain to people that the safari is in Animal Kingdom, and Space Mountain isn't.. it blows their mind that it isn't 1 gate known as WDW, but rather 4(well 3.5)...

Really shows me how confusing the size and scope of the parks can be/are for most who have never been so I have to remember that every time.

But I also stand on the side of why would you go to Disney and demand a TS restaurant that isn't a Disney-fied version of a TS without it being a finer TS like Artist Point. I always went to Disney thinking.. I am either paying for the Disney-fied meals, or paying for the finer meals with steak and seafood.. The only place I go that doesn't fit this is either at Disney Springs(Homecoming etc), or on Shades of Green at their sports bar called Evergreens.. that is our watering hole when we go down for a week+.. But that is just me.. if there is a market of people who get too burnt out on Disney and want a break in their resort then Disney can do just that, Disney is great at finding markets and getting $$ from it.

I am getting mixed signals here though because it feels like it's more of the "I felt like they were poking fun at me being fat when they brought the refill mason jar" than the "I just want to get away from the atmosphere" since as they stated, they won't initiate it but they won't stop you either.. If I am yelling for ketchup and the person next to me did NOT want a Disney/Experience meal.. then they will probably not like when I also sing my own birthday song to myself.

 

[Scuttle]

Loads of people don't make any ADRs at all, especially for the "home" restaurant in their resort. Reservations are needed at some places super far in advance, but not all of them. Disney also holds tables for resort guests.

True, but I guess the part that bothers me the most is it’s a themed hotel with themed dining as all of a WDW is. We’re not talking about a 4 Star hotel in NYC. That’s kind of the part that gets me too.

 

[Lensman]

True, but I guess the part that bothers me the most is it’s a themed hotel with themed dining as all of a WDW is. We’re not talking about a 4 Star hotel in NYC. That’s kind of the part that gets me too.

Do any of Disney's other deluxe resorts (or any resort) have a restaurant with such a boisterous participatory atmosphere?

I'm not saying that they don't, I honestly want to know if there are other examples that we can draw from.

I can only think of Ohana but it's a bit different. There must be others.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

At a Deluxe, all types of restaurants should be available. Its shortsighted on Disney's part. But it doesn't mean WCC should change its offerings. WDW is the Vacation Kingdom of the World for all guests, regardless where they stay. At least that's what their marketing would have you believe for the last 50 years.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Do any of Disney's other deluxe resorts (or any resort) have a restaurant with such a boisterous participatory atmosphere?

I'm not saying that they don't, I honestly want to know if there are other examples that we can draw from.

'Ohana is loud and has some participation, but they also have Kona as an alternative.

 

[GlassHalfFull]

Do any of Disney's other deluxe resorts (or any resort) have a restaurant with such a boisterous participatory atmosphere?

I'm not saying that they don't, I honestly want to know if there are other examples that we can draw from.

I can only think of Ohana but it's a bit different. There must be others.

I mean technically Fort Wilderness has the Revue which is even more boisterous.. I wonder if people go in there expecting just a meal as well ever.. I know it says Musical in the name.. but as mentioned previously.. first timers often have no idea what they signed up for. I once saw a lady with 4 young kids complaining (back when Cellier was THE ADR to get), that they didn't know the place would be so quiet and expensive... It is far more common for people to have planners just grab ADR's for clients and dump people into the popular stuff than most of us who do our own planning would ever imagine unfortunately..

 

[Tuvalu]

Do any of Disney's other deluxe resorts (or any resort) have a restaurant with such a boisterous participatory atmosphere?

I'm not saying that they don't, I honestly want to know if there are other examples that we can draw from.

I can only think of Ohana but it's a bit different. There must be others.

Chef Mickey’s. Napkin Dance.

 

[jakeman]

Do any of Disney's other deluxe resorts (or any resort) have a restaurant with such a boisterous participatory atmosphere?

I'm not saying that they don't, I honestly want to know if there are other examples that we can draw from.

I can only think of Ohana but it's a bit different. There must be others.

The Punch Your Baby Brunch at Yacht Club.

It's not really getting the reservations they want for some reason.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I mean technically Fort Wilderness has the Revue which is even more boisterous.. I wonder if people go in there expecting just a meal as well ever.. I know it says Musical in the name.. but as mentioned previously.. first timers often have no idea what they signed up for. I once saw a lady with 4 young kids complaining (back when Cellier was THE ADR to get), that they didn't know the place would be so quiet and expensive... It is far more common for people to have planners just grab ADR's for clients and dump people into the popular stuff than most of us who do our own planning would ever imagine unfortunately..

Chef Mickey’s. Napkin Dance.

Agree, but those resorts have alternatives (Trail's End, The Wave).